Most Algerians see EU as an important partner, according to new opinion poll

More than half of Algerians feel their country has good relations with the European Union, but only 39% think that the EU has a positive influence on the development of Algeria. Around a third of Algerians know of programmes financed by the EU in their country, and 68% of those who knew that the EU provided financial support to Algeria believed that it had been effective. These are just some of the findings of the latest annual opinion poll in Algeria, just published by the EU Neighbours South project.

The survey – part of a wave of opinion polls carried out in seven southern Mediterranean partner countries – was conducted in Algeria from July-September 2019, with 1,040 people consulted in face-to-face interviews. Respondents were asked about their general perceptions of the EU and the values with which it is associated, about EU relations with their country, and the impact of EU financial support. The surveys also look at preferred sources of information, how people feel about their personal situation and the situation in their country, and their expectations for the future.

In general, Algerians were in line in their perceptions of the EU with the regional average for the three Maghreb countries (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia).

Asked to describe relations with the EU, 56% said they were good, compared to an average of 63% in the Maghreb (67% for Mashrek).

In more general terms, 38% of those asked had a positive image of the EU (below the regional average). As in other countries of the region, the values most frequently associated with the EU were human rights, individual freedom and economic prosperity, while those least associated with the EU were the absence of corruption and religious freedom.

Algerians feel EU support has contributed the most to trade (41%) and education (27%) in their country and are keen for the EU to play an even greater role in those areas.

In general, Algerians think that the European Union’s image in their national media is positive. On television, fourty-seven per cent of them believe that the image is very to fairly positive, while only twelve per cent believe it to be very to fairly negative. Television is preceded by websites (49% positive, 21% neutral, 15% negative) and followed by printed press (36% positive, 34% neutral, 13% negative).

Algerians are generally satisfied with their lives (71%, in line with the regional average), and are generally optimistic for the next 12 months, with 74% expecting their life in general to be better (against 4% who expect it to be worse) and 67% thinking that the current financial situation of their household is good (against 4% who think it is bad).

The EU Neighbours South regional overview report and factsheets are available here.

To find out more about EU – Algeria cooperation and partnership, go here.

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